Roberto Assagioli, M.D.
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Roberto Assagioli was and is a great man of wholeness whose work holds a great part in the future of psychology and therapy on our planet. The path of spiritual healing has been labelled the therapy of the future bringing together many hundreds of articles, books, languages, students and people all over our world.
Assagioli talked of psychosynthesis as essentially an attitude, an inclusive approach to the psyche which began from the premise that whole is. We do not make ourselves whole, in potential we are already whole and this unbroken wholeness within each of us can be recognised. Rather than trying to untie the knots of our alienation, we could create a new perspective for our identity by shifting our attention away from the habitual patterns of conditioning to the underlying wholeness of who we essentially are. In many ways he was reiterating what spiritual teachers have said over centuries, namely that we are asleep to our true nature and we need to 'WAKE UP!' |
| Roberto Assagioli, M.D. 1888 - 1974 |
'Psychosynthesis is a method of psychological development and self realization for those who refuse to remain the slave of their own inner phantasms or of external influences, who refuse to submit passively to the play of psychological forces which is going on within them, and who are determined to become the master of their own lives'. Roberto Assagioli
What is psychosynthesis ?
Psychosynthesis is classed as a science and an art. It is the name given to a series of actions that produce a change or development that can encourage personal growth by a coming together of the whole person - the emotional, the mental, the physical and spiritual within a safe environment.
The word Psychosynthesis is a combination of the Greek words Psycho meaning Self, Spirit or soul, and Synthesis meaning a combining of ideas into 'one' complex whole.
Assagioli perceived that it was a requirement of human nature within an extensive concept to evolve towards a harmonious feeling of contentment and balance. The framework was provided by combined methods, teachings of western psychology and spiritually oriented eastern traditions. Within these conditions it became possible to assist the process of self-development and personal growth whilst also releasing the spiritual and subliminal side to your personality.
Psychosynthesis is a challenging journey towards an existence that is open to love, creativity, wisdom, peace, happiness and fulfilment. Approaches used to achieve these places range from meditation, free drawing, physical expression, writing, dis-identification, visualisation and interpersonal work which provides us with effective tools enabling us to achieve harmony with all elements of our personality.
The values of Psychosynthesis in Psychotherapy
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Will |
In the therapeutic process of Psychosynthesis the deeper layers of the unconscious are explored, professor C.G. Jung a friend and colleague of Assagioli found that images and symbols formed a collective character which he named 'ARCHETYPES', Assagioli also recognised the value of this but in the spiritual sense of universal energy. In psychosynthesis the two Archetypes LOVE and WILL holds an essential role in the developmental stages in therapy, balancing the feminine and masculine side of our selves allows more expression and freedom.
Will
The WILL archetype with its masculine energy is seen as a crucial influence in achieving wholeness and synthesis, personality conflicts require harmonising and it is the will that directs us from within into self expression and personal unification.
The will enables us to use our unique gifts and talents and to communicate these to the world at a deeper level. People often have periods when they became confused or clouded in their lives, they lose faith in themselves and become desperate. This feeling of becoming lost or confused is not one to be dismissed as sometimes trivial but one that comes from a concealed neuroses, the issues that are causing conflict are often serious life changing predicament.
With each crossroads it can mean the start of the new journey towards exploration as these crises bring with them a cry from a deeper source of being - the self and this can provide fresh approaches in life.
L
ve
The LOVE archetype with its feminine energy or universal energy brings harmony to the part that is valued hence leading to the expansion of the consciousness. Recognising that certain need have to be met with in this archetype in order for expansion and growth can lead to acceptance and unconditional love.
"The limits of psychosynthesis are, there are no limits"
SELF
Psychosynthesis uses many forms and techniques in the process to wholeness, the use of maps to help understand the components of the self. Assagioli found that the "EGG" Diagram was a way of unmasking the mystery of the self.
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1. The lower Unconscious 2. The Middle Unconscious 3. The Higher Unconscious 4. The field of Consciousness 5. The Conscious Self or "I" 6. The Higher Self 7. The Collective Unconscious |
Assagioli's original "egg" diagram offers a view of the human psyche in its many aspects. The layers of the unconscious include: the lower unconscious, the arena of repressed and traumatic memories, fundamental drives and impulses, and elementary psychological functions; the middle unconscious which is formed of psychological elements similar to those of our waking consciousness and easily accessible to it.; the higher unconscious carrying the elements of transpersonal experience; and the collective unconscious, defined primarily by Jung as the unconscious that carries archetypal experiences.
The varying layers of unconsciousness are noted with dotted lines indicating the permeability and non-rigidity of these states, and likewise the fields of consciousness, that awareness that an individual may have in any moment is also not a fixed point.
The Self, in this map, is viewed as both the "I", a centre of awareness and will anchored within the personality and the Higher Self, the centre of awareness and will anchored in the transpersonal dimension and accessing both personal and universal experience.
In versions of the "egg" diagram that have followed Assagioli's original model, the Higher Self star has been removed, or it has been drawn surrounding the egg, or with an equivalent "star" located opposite the Higher Self in the lower unconscious sphere. Each of these versions points to the awareness that the Self exists in all areas of the psyche, that as the ground of being and the source, it is not only accessible in "higher" experiences but also in everyday life (middle unconscious) and in the depths of the experience of darkness (the lower unconscious) .
Subpersonalities
Another concept in psychosynthesis is "Subpersonalities" or subselves, these are ways of shifting identity from one to another throughout the course of our day and life. All of us though out life take on playing different roles, the victim, lover, mother, employee, boss, etc.
The subpersonalitiy work is a useful way of taking control of patterned behaviour which takes place automatically, naming and recognising subpersonalities, disidentifying with them can resolve inner conflict. Once dialoguing starts with a subpersonalitiy an underlying need and higher qualities emerges allowing the behaviour to be transformed and energies to be released aiding the process to wholeness.
Transpersonal self
The Transpersonal or Higher self "S" brings the spiritual aspect of our being in to focus. Many different rituals are used in the connection with the big "S"; this connection brings spiritual understanding, wisdom, love, truth and inspiration. Assagioli once said that traditional psychoanalysts where more interested in the basement of the psyche where psychosynthesis brings in more of a holistic approach and wants to know what's happening in the attic. Once we make room for these energy's and honour them we start to learn more about the meaning of life and our potential.
Chakra page What is spirituality
Psychosynthesis uses different technique, i.e guided imagery work, and also the Chakra system to connect to the higher more universal energy. The Chakra system is the seven major energy points through out our body, these seven points can either be open, partially open or closed. When the seven chakras are open and interconnected they give us the opportunity to pass through a thin Veil in to spirituality.
